Claremont Racewalking

For Fitness, Fun and Friendship

Our purpose is to promote life-long fitness for all ages through racewalking.

An Olympic sport since the early 1900s, racewalking can be enjoyed by people of varying athletic abilities. It can be practiced at a track, in the streets, on a path, with others or alone. Its main expense is a pair of good shoes.

Racewalking enthusiasts around the world appreciate its many health benefits, as it uses more of the body’s muscles than running, with only a third of the impact on the knees and back. Racewalking affords an excellent cardiovascular workout. Practitioners also praise its benefits for mental, emotional and spiritual health.

Opportunities for racewalking in Claremont continue to expand and currently include the following:

In Collaboration with the City of Claremont Human Services

Camp Claremont – The summer camp offers youngsters, ages five to thirteen, a special day for learning the exciting sport of racewalking.

TRACKS (Teaching Responsible Active Claremont Kids Self-Worth) Activity Center at El Roble Middle School Campus – We offer racewalking classes twice monthly, October to February, as part of the rich variety of activities offered in this free after-school program.

Racewalking Classes and Clinics for Adults (18+) –Each quarter we offer a three-session racewalking class at a local track. Beginners are introduced to the fundamentals of the sport and intermediate racewalkers are assisted in further developing their skills. The third classes are often taught as a clinic by guest coach and national racewalking record holder, Susan Armenta.

In Collaboration with El Roble Middle School, Claremont Unified School District

Racewalking is offered as one of the sports in El Roble’s track and field program. With the support of coaches, middle-school students learn racewalking technique and have opportunities to compete.

The Pilgrim Pacers

This team, founded in the early 2000s by Bill and Grace Moremen and composed of Pilgrim Place residents and community members, meets several times a week at the Strehle (Pomona-Pitzer) track. Members participate in regional, national and international competitions. The Pacers may be seen in the documentary film, Impossible Dreamers, available on Netflix among other sources. The team also regularly participates in clinics to refine members’ techniques. Beginning racewalkers are welcome on Friday mornings, 6:30-7:30 a.m., for a short workout and tips on form.

Tuesday Night Friendship Group

An informal group of racewalking enthusiasts meets most Tuesday evenings at 6:30 at the Claremont High School or Pitzer/Pomona track. Novice racewalkers and powerwalkers are welcome to join for fitness and fun.

Claremont Classic Racewalk Meet

Our fifth annual USA Track and Field-sanctioned racewalk meet, sponsored by the Pilgrim Pacers, will be held in April 2020, at Claremont High School. The meet draws participants from many southern California communities and all age groups for judged competition in 5 and 10 Kilometer as well as 1500 Meter races. Medals are awarded for all five-year age groups. The event also offers a fun, non-judged race for powerwalkers and novice racewalkers. Registration information will posted here as soon as it is available.